Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Mayor Kilpatrick - Do the Math...

Detroit politics have left me exhausted! Truly, every day it is something different. I am saddened as the nation watches what is going on in our city and wonder as many of us do - what is going on?

I voted for Mayor Kilpatrick the first term, I was a staunch supporter. A great orator, his charisma and knowledge in the political and business arena made him the best candidate in my eyes. I dismissed early rumblings as folks just not liking him, trying to look for something negative. But after the first 2 years - I was done. There was just too much even then. I was disappointed and still am because the Mayor has a wealth of talents that he seems to be squandering. He had an opportunity to seal his future in politics or whatever career path he chose.

Anyway - on to the math.....

I can't ALMOST lose 26 million in much needed (or not needed for that matter) funds and KEEP MY JOB.

I can't be behind 2-3 years in financial reports and KEEP MY JOB.

I can't cause my company to be sued for 8.4 million dollars and KEEP MY JOB.

I can't lose a major conference/client deal (Mayors Conference) that would bring big money to the company and KEEP MY JOB

I definitely can't publicly smear the company image and goodwill in the community and among businesses and KEEP MY JOB.


Granted, I'm not the mayor of a major metropolitan city, but you get the point.

The mayor and his mom and his pastor have called for us to pray for him and his family. I'm a praying woman - consider that done - but I want the mayor and his family and advisors to pray as well and truly ask if it isn't time to call it quits.

What has Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick Done for Detroit?

In order to be fair - I did find this list from a poster of good things Kwame has done in the city. I cannot confirm nor deny any of it and if anyone has any info please share. I can say that there have been new housing starts and our downtown looks better than ever thanks to him. Read on...

Balanced Detroits budget to avoid receivership

Organized the Transformation Growth Comittee - which is a big reason why Detroit has had so much revitalization downtown.

Organized the Office of Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization- which is working on the improvement of 8 detroit areas including improvement on lighting, streetscaping, and facade.

Detroit 12 yr tax abatement- which gives Detroit residences a break on their taxes for the first 12 yrs. This has really pushed the property sales in Detroit. -(This is a little misleading, it only applies to wealthy residents in certain neighborhoods, namely closer to downtown - the everyday person in Detroit doesn't benefit)

1 comment:

Lamont Corbin said...

That was an excellent post. For reasons I can't explain folks don't want to discuss the financial consequences for the city but are apt to talk about the money cost when it comes to the war. It's almost like we (or rather, some of us) are in self denial. I think people really wanted Kwame to do the right thing but he betrayed them. But to those who knew Kwame before he entered office - we regarded him as a crafty crook who just happened to have a job as Mayor.

The city needed for this to happen to wake them up. I would suppose that the citizens will now be more careful in whom they elect.

At least we hope.....